The Ossetian ornament: types and value

Ossetic ornaments was created over many centuries. Considered one of the ancient culture of the Caucasus. Ossetian patterns are different, they cannot be confused with other types of ornaments. They traced almost all household items. This cookware, clothes, various tools, tombstones and more.

Where he used the Ossetian ornaments and their significance

As guardian, patterns applied to weapons, furniture, the headboard of the bed or on the baby's cradle, chairs, armchairs and tables. In wealthy homes the ornament was put even on the pillars, arches, window casings and gates. In addition, these faces had always been a kind of cipher or the message.
Ossetian Ornament conceals a sacred sign, the meaning of which was lost. Decoding and trying to understand their contemporary scientists. However, it is not always possible to understand the meaning of these faces. And now, looking at the patterns Ossetia, perceive them as just pretty things.

From simple to complex

First, the Ossetian ornament was simple and unpretentious. Primitive strokes, circles, spirals of different lengths and thicknesses, zigzag lines. But gradually the patterns became more complex, new elements were added in the form of geometric images of animals and plants.
Later images began to take the form of geometric patterns which consisted of a large number of swirls, spirals, diamonds and various lines. This also is in harmony with faces of animals and birds. It was a peacock, a bull and a RAM's head, twisted floral patterns.

these Embroidered patterns are mostly clothing, footwear and headgear. Ornamental compositions were performed by threads of gold or silver. They were not only a decoration of clothing, but protective patterns.

Woman - a connoisseur of magical symbols

all ancient peoples woman was regarded as a homemaker and blissful energy of the house. She worked on the hair and skin, Burki played, and produced homespun cloth, sewed coats and hoods. The woman could sew any clothes for my husband, children, for themselves and with taste to decorate it.
Caring owner did not forget to put patterns charms on the clothes that protected from the bad things of her household. Usually magic Ossetian ornaments and patterns embroidered in certain areas of the garment.
Gates, cuffs shirts, skirts, slits in shirts or tunics, all that covered ornamental compositions. It was thought that the material remains impervious to evil spirits through the weaving of magic. And where the material ended, and began the body tried to protect ornaments magic.

Women of Ossetia were skilled artisans and had no equal in gold. They were decorated with gold embroidery not only festive clothing, and small household items. This pouches, variety of boxes, cases, wallets, bags, crafts and more.

Wedding apparel women

For each thing or place in clothes chosen a specific ornament. Clothing for women was dominated by floral pattern and serpentine. They were used since ancient times when the chief was the Mother Goddess of the IPA. The upper part of the body of the goddess was female, and the lower snake.
Ornamental patterns of vegetation personified nature, the universe and the world around. They were placed on the edges of the dress where the fabric ends, which also protects the woman. The dress completely covers the body of the bride from prying eyes.
At the edges of the dress was sewn in an isosceles triangle, the vertex of which always rested in the corner of the floors. From the triangle, but rather from its base in the directions of the curves denoting fertility. Rhombic shapes on the wedding dress of one stroke symbolized the earth, plants and woman at the same time.

Caps of the bride are also decorated with vegetation of serpentine form, but is added here for the animal ornament. Often on wedding cap embroidered with the heads of peacocks.
Wedding clothes Ossetians are also decorated with braid, braid and gold embroidery. However, jewelry and ornamentally was less than a woman's dress. Male wedding dress should be strict in form and color.

Metal

Carved natural materials and metal men have been engaged in the Ossetians. In this case, they were true craftsmen. Artful ornament Ossetian recognizable from the first sight. Artists used patterns in the Armory and blacksmithing, jewelry. Carved decorated wooden and stone tools.
swordsmith was decorated with finely carved daggers, knives and guns. The products were dominated by floral pattern. He often imperceptibly, intertwined with animal ornament, creating whimsical lines and transitions. These products are in great demand. Ornament Ossetian and now makes items unique and in demand.

On all things cut a certain pattern. The bowls, cups and glasses dominated the animal ornament in the form of heads of rams, bulls. Added to them florid vegetation in the form of scrolls.

Carving

Furniture and wooden parts of the home were decorated with diamonds, triangles, squares, and straight lines. On the arches, support pillars and the gate were cut combination of solar and geometric patterns. Applied ornament on wooden doors, ceiling beams, doorframes, cornices. All the faces bore only the magical sense. They have to protect the home from evil spirits that might threaten their housing.
a Wooden vessel for the test of the Cup and dish, and chairs - all decorated with magical signs. Special attention was paid to the wooden table for sacrifices. Ornamental patterns were carefully chosen, each character carried a sacred meaning

Stone patterns

Stone masters woven ornaments new cosmogony, which is intertwined with the ornamental mark of the deceased. Looking at a gravestone adorned with the sacred ornaments, people know who's buried here, his destiny, occupation, social position

stone Carving in ancient times was very popular. Battle towers and burial vaults were decorated with solar crosses, rectangles, geometric shapes. Tombstones decorated with sacred signs.
Masters and mistresses of our time carefully preserve the ancient traditions. Women make beautiful designs, embroidering them with gold thread, silver and silk. Men know how to forge daggers and knives with floral patterns. They know how to create circles with geometric designs and handles in the form of RAM's heads.
currently, the Ossetian ornaments and their meaning, not every expert can decipher. That's why they are considered a mystery like the code or cipher of the ancient people of our generation.